Members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Tai Local Government Area, has held a stakeholders forum ahead of the PDP ward and local government congresses.
The meeting took place at the Giniwa Hall at the council secretariat on Friday January 6, 2012.
Declaring the event open, the council chairman, Hon. Gbenekanu Kuapie, said the stakeholder’s forum was called first of all to thank the people of Tai local government for voting for PDP in the last elections in the area.
The council boss stated that not only did the people vote for the PDP but that all the elections were very peaceful. He expressed joy for voting him and his councilors into office.
Hon. Kuapie said the purpose for the stakeholders forum was to inform all party faithful of the incoming event in the party such as the ward and LGA congresses.
He pleaded with the people to maintain a high level of peace during the congresses, advising that people should participate in each of their wards to elect good leaders when the time comes.
Addressing the crowd at the event, the member representing Tai, Eleme and Oyigbo federal constituency, Hon. Barry Mpigi, informed the people of Tai that the time has come when the people of Tai will embrace participatory democracy, hence the meeting was called to galvanize, mobilize and inform the people for the congress ahead of Tai LGA.
Hon Mpigi, a two time council chairman and a former commissioner in the state said the meeting was necessary to carry the people along with the policy and decision of the party and that Tai people must be united to forge ahead and attract development to the area.
The House of Representatives member who is also the Deputy chairman, Electoral Committee in the House, tasked Tai people not to impose any candidate on the people but solicit oneness, transparency and love, and enjoined them to always listen to their party leaders at all times.
Also speaking, the PDP party chairman of Tai local government Area, Hon. Peter Gbezia, used the occasion to usher his people into the New Year.
He said the purpose of the stakeholder’s forum was to sensitize the people for the PDP congress coming ahead.
The party chairman further explained that the fresh congress will lead the party to another greater level.
In an interview with journalists, the party chairman said he has served the people well but if they needed him, he will not hesitate to serve them again as party chairman.
Others who attended the event include, the commissioner for social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Hon. Joe Proma, Member, Rivers state House of Assembly, Representing Tai LGA, Hon. Mrs. Felicia Tanen, past council chairman, members of House of Assembly and other political appointees.
The people of Tai turned out in their large numbers for the meeting which was the first in the year 2012. ###
Pius Dukor
